Blogging about the changing world of television a couple of days ago prompted me to take a look about our own situation.
That led to an examination of our Oceanic bill and our television viewing habits. It’s obvious that we’re paying way too much every month, mostly for channels we never, ever watch.
So it sounded like a simple thing. Check out what we’re paying, find the services we really want, and then dump the rest.
But it isn’t so simple.
It was impossible to get a clear understanding of Oceanic’s pricing of various services from their web site. Trying to figure out whether we can save money by dumping some of our current services proved extremely frustrating, at best.
So then I called customer service. A nice computer voice informed me that all customer service agents were busy, and it would be somewhere between 13 and 21 minutes before one would be free. It then cheerfully offered to have someone call me back. Now I’m watching the clock to see how long that process really takes, and wondering whether they will really answer my question.
While I’m waiting, I’ll spell out our simple needs and ask for your suggestions.
We want access to local news, so that means the local broadcast stations. We also want PBS, and probably Olelo’s channels for viewing public meetings.
That’s really all we need or want from Oceanic. We also have Roadrunner internet service, but that’s a different thing.
We have an Apple TV, and get movies via Netflix or from iTunes, and we’re testing out Hulu-Plus on a free trial subscription.
Okay. I got the automated call back just barely within the 21 minute window, and then was able to speak to one of Oceanic’s reps.
It is like pulling teeth to get clear information about the various options and combinations.
When I complained that clear pricing information isn’t available online from Oceanic, I apparently got a stock answer: “We can’t do that because the prices do change every month,” she said, as if customer confusion was a desirable state.
I was offered a new price for all the services we currently get that would cut about $34 dollars per month, but then I heard the “fine print” go by. “That special price is good for one year,” which I understood to mean, “the price will pop back up without any notice in 12 months.” Fair? I don’t know. But I really shouldn’t have to guess.
The best price you can get is for “basic” analog service. No frills. The broadcast channels and Olelo. Do we lose much by going this route? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
And I didn’t explore the prices of a cable package that would include home telephone. There might be a “package” price worth looking at. Perhaps I’ll do that. Again, it’s all quite confusing. I feel like someone’s picking my pocket while I’m distracted by all the choices. Actually, it felt a lot like when you’re sitting in a car dealer’s showroom and the salesman leaves the room to “see what we can do.” And that’s not a good feeling.
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Get a satellite dish! Use DSL service.
Some great people work for Oceanic. But after years of similar shenanigans I basically decided to extricate myself as much as possible from their services. We switched from RoadRunner to DSL. We canceled “digital cable” and went back to analog basic. For the same reasons as you, we still want the local broadcast stations and enjoy some of the other basic offerings… but otherwise we get everything we need via streaming.
I know that with the right hardware I could even pick up the local broadcast stations over the air, some of them even in HD, and drop Oceanic entirely. But I’m not quite that confident in my abilities to pull that off. And we might miss some of the basic cable channels.
Then again, there are satellite providers…
I feel your pain. Good luck!
We’ve had the super basic analog cable service for 5+ years now. Upgraded once to get ESPN for World Cup, the downgraded back once World Cup was over. Have been really happy with that option. What price did they quote you? When we were subscribing it was $15/month
Let me know what you find, Ian. Our cable bill is way too high each month and I am looking for a way to cut it down. I do not think a satellite dish is a good alternative, as I think they are fugly as all hell.
I use streaming Netflix, but their offerings have dropped dramatically with the expiration of their contract with Starz.
I resent the Oceanic price-gouging monopoly, but do not see a good alternative. Let us know.
I’ve been with DirecTV for something like seven years. No problems. Really excellent customer service. And — admittedly this is my own special issue — not nearly as many of the idiotic and incomprehensible blackouts of major league baseball games as Oceanic.
I can’t offer help as I feel akin to a fellow hostage on Oceanic (or Titanic?), but meanwhile I somewhat console myself with an VOIP (voice over internet protocol, I think) “land line” phone system.
I highly recommend it; it’s generally okay if you have high speed internet (rr or dsl), and you can continue to use your own phone #’s, but takes ’bout 3 weeks for the change over.
Bought my phone for about $200 at costco (ooma), subscribed to their “premier” package, pay about $180/yr including taxes, fees, and some extra long-distance (Europe). You can reduce your op costs with the bare-bones version and not take the premier service for about $60/yr. – but I can’t vouch for that option.
You can also download an app for you smartphone and use it’s internet rates for you long-distance to reduce costs there.
I read your blog on a daily basis and look forward to any solutions or remedies to our hostage situation here on Oceanic!
Oh boy!! My saga began in Jan when I had problems with the Oceanic DVR and after several waits in voice mail hell, I decided to turn in the DVR and get rid of cable. My condo rules don’t allow external antennae, so I tried 3 different interior antennae and not one of them could get PBS. Oceanic charged me a fee to put a “trap” on my line to limit what I could watch (they get you coming and going)
So then I went to Oceanic basic and ordered a DVR from Magnavox, which when it arrived, I was unable to figure out how to use it-I returned that and fumed for a few weeks, watching Downton Abbey on my computer. Alas, I finally went back to Oceanic and got their DVR, and yes Oceanic is evil- The prices keep changing depending upon what one chooses to “bundle”
and you cannot pick and choose between stations- I would like to delete the hunting, rodeo and the many many jesus channels- but we do not have that option.
Their equipment is old fashioned (they don’t even have cordless DVRs- and my cats have chewed two cords at $35 a piece.)
Arrgggghhh
Depending on the location of your condo, the interior antenna option can work. I live in Waikiki and got the following on Amazon:
Terk FDTV1A Flat Digital Omni Directional Amplified Indoor Antenna (Black)
Sold by: Frogjar.com
Condition: used – verygood
Quantity: 1
$16.39 each
Item Subtotal : $16.39
Shipping & Handling : $10.90
Total : $27.29
You need to have to plug the amplifier in a regular electrical outlet. Also, if you have regular cable that you need, you will need an A/B switch to alternate between the cable and antenna. I got the Cables to Go 41015 High Isolation AB Switch from Amazon for about $13.
The only issue is that every time you switch the lines, the new digital flat panel tvs may require you to change the signal received between cable and antenna. Most new tvs don’t have dedicated inputs for cable and antenna, so the switching is a procedure that is necessary.
The biggest benefit that I get is that I get stations not offered on basic cable. Channel 2’s CW network on digital 2.2, Channel 4’s ME network on digital 4.2, KGMB’s THIS network on digital 5.2, and PBS on both 11.1 an 11.2. All the signals are digital and watching Hawaii Five-O in 1080p Hi Def is outstanding. If I were to get it on Oceanic, it would cost me double and Oceanic only broadcast in 720p, not 1080p on their HD channels.
I don’t think your condo association may legally prohibit the installation of an external satellite dish (within certain restrictions). Per the FCC’s “Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule” (OTARD):
http://www.fcc.gov/guides/over-air-reception-devices-rule
“The rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming. The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37″) in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas. The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.
Effective January 22, 1999, the Commission amended the rule so that it also applies to rental property where the renter has an exclusive use area, such as a balcony or patio.
On October 25, 2000, the Commission further amended the rule so that it applies to customer-end antennas that receive and transmit fixed wireless signals. This amendment became effective on May 25, 2001.”
Ian,
My sister and brother in law here have DirectTV and are super happy with it. They had it when they lived on the mainland for a while and were horrified by Oceanic and their expensive bazzillion channels and terrible DVR box. They still use Oceanic for their internet.
As much as I complain about Oceanic, I haven’t found anyone who can touch the speed on their residential internet service here, and I pay for the next level up, which allows me higher upload speeds for offsite back ups.
Just a couple of months ago I changed to bare-bones Oceanic cable for $15/month which provides all of the local channels (except OC16) and Olelo and a few extras, and Netflix for $8/month, and I use the Library for an occasional DVD ($1 ea for a week). We find more than enough to watch for a total of $23/month. And I have DSL and a land line for $50/month.
Not sure why Oceanic isn’t more transparent online, but I went into their office to return my box and downgrade the service. They actually had to send someone out to put a filter on the line on the pole so that I would only get the basic channels for the $15/mo.
ps. I’m happy enough with DSL – it’s not noticeably slower than Roadrunner, although YMMV.
oc16 is on 79.16
Glad to see this discussion about Oceanic Cable. For the most part the programs are terrible along with the supposed Christian programming propaganda and reruns.
As noted in a more detailed response above, I offer a one-word solution: DirecTV.
I worked for Oceanic a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. Which is why I’ve been a very happy Directv customer for many years. Even as an employee, their policies were not very clear and changed randomly.
Don’t use Oceanic’s TV but we’ve had RR since it was the only cable modem in town. I agree that their website is very uninformative; I always end up phoning to find out what I want to know. It must be a deliberate ploy on their part to obscure actual charges. We would like to switch but are unsure of how Hawaiian Telcom performs in comparison (speed, outages, customer service). Any experiences or other recommendations?
I guess I’m the exception here. I got rid of my TV altogether 3 years ago, haven’t missed it a bit. Love public radio and watch movies and occasional sporting events at friends’ houses. FREEDOM!
I love the wide variety of shopping channels, beau coup options for televangelism and obscure cable programs about the sex life of Colombian newts. I am a happy Oceanic subscriber.
I’m not sure if Hawaiian tel is in your neighborhood yet, but they recently were offering specials in the Salt Lake area. And I need to review what Hawaiian Tel offered; seemed, an quick glance, to be a better deal than the package that Oceanic offered. Ditto to all the concerns about Oceanic – we have our internet and cable with them.